James Macfarlane

James Macfarlane (2 September 1844 – 24 November 1914) was an Australian businessman and politician. He served as a Senator for Tasmania from 1901 to 1910, representing the Free Trade Party and Liberal Party. He was born in Scotland and arrived in Australia in 1870, establishing a shipping agency in Hobart.

Early life Macfarlane was born on 2 September 1844 in Glasgow, Scotland. He was the son of Lillias (née Alexander) and Andrew Macfarlane; his father was a surveyor.

Macfarlane was educated in Glasgow and also at the Bruce Castle School in London. He subsequently joined Redfern, Alexander and Company, a London merchant shipping firm, where he worked for eight years alongside his brother John. The pair immigrated to Australia in 1870, settling in Hobart. They took over Askin Morrison's shipping business and established Macfarlane Brothers, which became one of the largest shipping agencies in Tasmania.

In parliament, Macfarlane was known for his opposition to the White Australia policy.